SENSOR LINE AND MEASURING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A sensor line, which is configured to detect an ambient variable and which extends from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction, has a line core and a number of mutually spaced resistance elements with a resistance value. The resistance value varies depending on a value of the ambient variables. A measuring assembly having the sensor line is also provided.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A sensor line for detecting an ambient variable, the sensor line comprising: a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal direction; a line core; a plurality of resistance elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, said resistance elements each having a respective resistance value varying in dependence on a value of the ambient variable; each of said resistance elements defining a respective measuring portion; and conductors each extending along said line core for a respective one of said resistance elements, said conductors each having a plurality of turns in a respective measuring portion for forming a respective resistance element.

16. The sensor line according to claim 15, wherein said turns are formed in a meandering shape.

17. The sensor line according to claim 15, wherein said turns are formed as windings wound around said line core.

18. The sensor line according to claim 15, which further comprises a carrier, each of said conductors and said turns being formed by a respective conductor track applied to said carrier.

19. The sensor line according to claim 18, wherein said carrier is applied to said line core.

20. The sensor line according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of said conductors with said resistance elements are applied together to said carrier.

21. The sensor line according to claim 15, wherein said conductors are enameled wires.

22. The sensor line according to claim 15, wherein said resistance elements are electrically connected to one another at said first end in a finished state of the sensor line.

23. The sensor line according to claim 22, which further comprises a return conductor disposed along said line core and electrically connected at said first end to said resistance elements being connected to one another, in the finished state of the sensor line.

24. The sensor line according to claim 15, which further comprises a protective sheath jointly surrounding said line core and said resistance elements.

25. The sensor line according to claim 15, wherein the sensor line is configured to be integrated in a cable to be monitored.

26. The sensor line according to claim 25, wherein the cable to be monitored is a charging cable or a motor vehicle charging cable.

27. A measuring assembly for detecting an ambient variable, the measuring assembly comprising: a sensor line extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, said sensor line configured for detecting the ambient variable and said sensor line including: a line core, a plurality of resistance elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, said resistance elements each having a respective resistance value varying in dependence on a value of the ambient variable, each of said resistance elements defining a respective measuring portion, and conductors each extending along said line core for a respective one of said resistance elements, said conductors each having a plurality of turns in a respective measuring portion for forming a respective resistance element; and an evaluation unit configured for detecting and evaluating the resistance value of said resistance elements, said evaluation unit being connected to said resistance elements.

28. The measuring assembly according to claim 27, wherein the measuring assembly is configured for assigning each of said measuring portions to a respective region of said sensor line.

Description

[0053] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained more specifically below on the basis of the figures, in which, partly in greatly simplified representations:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional representation of a sensor line,

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the finished sensor line with two measuring portions,

[0056] FIG. 3 shows a representation of a detail of a carrier with conductors and resistance elements provided on it,

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a sensor line to be made up and

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle connected to a charging station by means of a charging cable for charging.

[0059] In the figures, parts that have the same effect are shown with the same designations.

[0060] The sensor line 2 shown in FIG. 1 in a sketched cross-sectional representation extends in a longitudinal direction L from a first end 4 (cf. FIG. 2) to a second end 6 (cf. FIG. 2) and is designed for detecting an ambient variable, in the exemplary embodiment the temperature.

[0061] The sensor line 2 also has a line core 8. In the exemplary embodiment, the line core 8 comprises a strand of plastic on an aramid basis and is in particular formed from such a strand of plastic. The line core 8 serves for mechanically stabilizing the sensor line 2.

[0062] The sensor line 2 also has a number (>2), in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 seventeen, of resistance elements 10 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction L (FIG. 2). The resistance elements 10 have in each case a resistance value that varies in dependence on a value of the ambient variable. Each resistance element 10 defines a measuring portion 12 (cf. FIG. 2).

[0063] For forming the resistance elements 10, for each resistance element 10 a conductor 14 is respectively made to extend along the line core 8, the conductor 14 having multiple turns 16 in the region of the measuring portion 12. In the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the turns 16 are formed as windings, in the case of which the conductor 14 is wound around the line core 8.

[0064] In an alternative configuration, the turns 16 are formed as turns 16 of a meandering form, which are in particular formed as conductor tracks provided on a carrier 17, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0065] In the case of this alternative configuration, the carrier 17 is preferably provided around the line core 8, in particular in the manner of a banding.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the resistance elements 10 are formed in each case by a conductor 14, for example an enameled wire, which is arranged circumferentially around the line core 8 (cf. FIG. 2). In FIG. 1, only one end of a respective conductor 14 can in this case be seen. The conductors 14 have in the exemplary embodiment a diameter D with a value in the range from 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm.

[0067] This also has the effect that a very thin sensor line 2 can be realized. Very thin is understood in the present case as meaning a diameter of the sensor line 2 with a value in the range between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment, the line core 8 and the resistance element 10 are jointly surrounded by a protective sheath 15 for mechanical protection of the sensor line 2. The protective sheath 15 is preferably also formed in the case of the alternative configuration with the carrier 17.

[0069] Irrespective of the variant of the embodimentthe conductors 14 have a temperature-dependent electrical resistance, as a result of which they are used for detecting the ambient variable, in particular the temperature, easily and with little effort. In the exemplary embodiment, the conductors 14 comprise for example copper or steel, and in particular are formed from copper or steel.

[0070] The side view shown in FIG. 2 of the finished sensor line 2 serves for a detailed understanding of the formation of the resistance elements 10 by means of in each case a conductor 14.

[0071] For each resistance element 10, a conductor 14 is respectively made to extend along the sensor line 2, that is to say along the longitudinal direction L. In the case of the configuration with the wound conductors 14, the conductor is wound around the line core 8 in particular with a predetermined length of lay .sub.v. For forming the respective resistance element 10, in the respective measuring portion 12 the conductor 14 is wound with a measuring length of lay .sub.M around the line core 8 with multiple turns 16 formed as windings. That is to say that, for forming the resistance element 10, the respective conductor 14 is wound tighter around the line core 8 in the measuring portion 12 than around the remaining part of the line core 8. In FIG. 2, this is shown by way of example by two spaced-apart measuring portions 12.

[0072] Generally, the turns 16whether wound or made to extend in a meandering formhave the effect that a specific conductor length, and consequently a resistivity (resistance per unit length of the sensor line 2), is increased, in particular significantly, in the measuring portion 12 in comparison with portions of the conductor 14 outside the measuring portion 12.

[0073] This configuration makes it possible to detect the ambient variable, and in particular a change of the ambient variable, within the measuring portions 12. That is to say that, if the ambient variable, in the present case the temperature, in the region of the measuring portions 12 changes, the resistance value of the resistance elements 10 formed by the conductors 14 changes. The changing resistance value can be detected and taken as a basis for concluding the (changed) ambient variable.

[0074] Each measuring portion 12 has a length l with a value >1 cm, in particular >2 cm and specifically in the range between 2 cm and 5 cm. The length l together with the high specific conductor length formed by the turns 16 in the measuring portion 12 achieves an accurate and sensitive detection of the ambient variable within the measuring portions 12, since there is more material within the measuring portions 12 that is influenced by the ambient variable.

[0075] A return conductor 18, which is only shown in the region of the second end 6, is additionally arranged. The return conductor 18 likewise extends along the line core 8. In the case of the configuration with the turns 16 formed as windings, the return conductor is wound around the line core 8 in a way analogous to the conductors 14, but for example only with the predetermined length of lay v. The return conductor 18 generally does not form a resistance element 10.

[0076] In the case of the variant shown in FIG. 3, multiple conductors 14, in particular in the manner of conductor tracks, are applied to the carrier 17, in particular printed on. The carrier 17 is a film-like carrier 17. Outside the measuring portions 12, the individual conductors 17 extend in a straight line and in particular parallel to a longitudinal direction L1 of the carrier 17. In the region of the measuring portions 12, the respective conductor track extends in a meandering or wave-like form with a multiplicity of individual turns 16. A turn 16 is understood in this case as meaning the region of a reversal in the direction of the course of the conductor track. In the exemplary embodiment, 12 turns are respectively shown for each resistance element 10/measuring portion 12. The measuring portions 12 preferably have the aforementioned lengths l.

[0077] Preferably, all of the resistance elements 10 of the sensor line 2 are arranged on the common carrier 17. The return conductor 18, which in particular extends in a straight line, is preferably also additionally applied to this carrier.

[0078] The carrier 17 is preferably wound around the line core 8 in the manner of a banding.

[0079] In FIG. 4, a schematic representation of a sensor line 2 to be made up is shown. For making up the sensor line 2, it is cut to length at the first end 4 and the second end 6 from an un-made-up continuous production. Continuous production is understood in the present case as meaning that the sensor line 2 is produced in the manner of an endless process in such a way that it has a defined number (according to FIG. 4 eleven) of resistance elements 10 periodically recurring, with a respective defined resistance value. In the exemplary embodiment, the eleven resistance elements 10 are schematically represented by the numbers respectively surrounded by a border.

[0080] The resistance elements 10 formed by conductors 14 are subsequently electrically connected to one another at the first end 4 of the sensor line 2. At the second end 6 of the sensor line 2, the individual conductors 14 are led into a connector 24. Being made up in this way allows a connectability of the sensor line 2 for example to an evaluation unit 22, which in the present case determines the individual resistance elements 10 and assigns them to their position along the sensor line before the sensor line 2 is used for the first time, for example after the already described process of zero measurement.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, this means that after the cutting to length in the case of the sensor line 2 the resistance value of the resistance element 10 with the number 5 is missing. In the case of a decreasing resistance value between successive resistance elements 10, the resistance element 10 with the number 6 consequently has the next-lower resistance value. According to the principle of zero measurement, the evaluation unit 22 consequently knows that the resistance element 10 with the number 6 is the first resistance element 10 of the sensor line 2 (considered from the connector side). On the basis of this information, it is made possible, for example for the evaluation unit 22, to assign the individual resistance elements 10, and consequently the individual measuring portions 12, locationally along the sensor line 2. This has the effect in particular that a spatially resolved detection of the ambient variable, that is to say a temperature detection, is made possible. The advantage of this configuration is that a detection of hot spots is realized in an easy way.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a cable 36, designed as a charging cable, for the charging of a motor vehicle 40 connected to a charging station 38. The motor vehicle 40 is an electromotively driven motor vehicle 40.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, the sensor line 2 is integrated in the cable 36. That is to say that the sensor line 2 is arranged along with a number of supply lines that are not shown (which carry the charging current LS) in the charging cable and is surrounded for example together with the supply lines by a common outer sheath. Alternatively, the line core 8 has the supply lines, so that the charging cable and the sensor line are formed as a single cable 36.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation unit 22 is integrated in the charging station 36 and is designed for communication with a control unit 42 controlling the charging current LS.

[0085] The sensor line 2 serves for monitoring the temperature within the cable 36 during the charging operation. If the temperature in the cable 36 attributable to the flowing charging current LS for example exceeds a predetermined value, this is detected by the evaluation unit 22 and communicated to the control unit 42, for example in the form of a signal S. In response, the control unit 42 reduces the value of the charging current LS or stops the charging operation completely. This has the effect of preventing thermal overheating and consequently damage of the cable 36.

[0086] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be deduced by a person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, furthermore, all of the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in some other way without departing from the subject matter of the invention.